College Tour Trip - UGA, USC, & Clemson

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College visits have a way of turning abstract ideas into real possibilities—and this Southern swing did exactly that for our family. Over a few packed days, we visited the University of Georgia, the University of South Carolina, and Clemson University, each offering a distinct take on the large-school experience, campus life, and student culture. From carefully curated admissions sessions to unforgettable football traditions, this trip gave our daughter (and us) a much clearer sense of what “fit” can look like.

Our trip kicked off early with an 8:00 a.m. campus tour at the University of Georgia, and it immediately set a high standard. UGA’s Prospective Student Campus Tour Facility is warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed for both students and parents—something we appreciated as the college search officially began.

Check-in is straightforward, and while waiting, families can explore a large red room dedicated to the university’s history, academic programs, and, of course, UGA himself. It’s an engaging way to ground students in the school’s legacy before the day even begins.

The admissions information session, led by a current student, covers much of what you can find online—but we still strongly recommend attending. It helped frame the visit and included two particularly useful takeaways: a clear application timeline and a practical admissions checklist. For families navigating this process for the first time, those details matter.

The campus tour itself begins aboard the iconic UGA bus and is led by enthusiastic student guides who are strong advocates for their school. The approximately 1.5-hour experience blends bus time and walking, with stops that highlight the origins of the university, including a plaque marking its founding and views of the original campus green.

Athens is the quintessential college town—historic, charming, and lively. From the famous arch on North Campus to the very practical Target just across the street, campus and town life feel completely intertwined. One of the standout moments was visiting Sanford Stadium, located right on campus and easily accessible for students. It’s hard to imagine a more classic college football setting.

After the tour, the bus returns you right to the student tour facility where you parked—an easy and well-run experience from start to finish. From there, you can enjoy lunch at one of the many student-recommended spots around Athens…or, like us, hop back in the car and head east to the next stop.

With a 2:00 p.m. start time at the University of South Carolina, we made the 2.5-hour drive from Athens and arrived just in time. One important note for families planning ahead: check-in for the campus tour and orientation is not at the McKissick Museum. Expect about a 15-minute walk from check-in to the museum, which serves as the starting point for the admissions forum and tour.

After the admissions session at the McKissick Museum, we met our student tour guide on the front steps. Unlike UGA, USC’s tour is entirely walking-based—no bus required—which allowed for a more immersive, street-level feel of the campus. Our guide, a current student, shared personal insights throughout, giving context to the academic buildings, student life, and how campus fits into the city of Columbia.

The walking format made it easy to ask questions along the way and get a sense of day-to-day student life. USC felt energetic and urban, offering a different—but equally compelling—large university experience.

Our day at Clemson began at noon with a student panel and Q&A session, and this turned out to be an excellent use of time. Five students—from sophomores to juniors—answered both moderated questions and those posed by parents and prospective students. Hearing a range of perspectives on academics, campus life, and decision-making was incredibly valuable.

Following the panel, we joined a two-hour walking tour led by two passionate student guides. Their pride in Clemson was clear, and they did a great job highlighting both academic programs and student life. Early stops included the School of Business, Bowman Field—home to traditions like Homecoming float building—and Tillman Hall, the School of Education. These buildings sit at the edge of campus, with downtown Clemson just across the street, reinforcing how closely connected the university is to the town.

As we moved deeper into campus, we stopped at one of the student dining facilities (yes, Raising Cane’s is an option—always a crowd favorite). We also visited the student library, which offers beautiful views across the pond, and a student innovation facility where individuals or groups can reserve space to explore new ideas—whether in music, astronomy, or entrepreneurship—with full access to technology and resources.

One of the more surprising stops was the on-campus chapel, which has a four-year waiting list for weddings. Clearly, Clemson holds a special place in the hearts of its students long after graduation.

To round out the experience, we attended a Clemson football game—a night game against Florida State—and it was one of the best decisions we made on the trip. We arrived early to take in the tailgating scene and explore downtown Clemson, then made the beautiful walk to Memorial Stadium as the sun set. From our seats high in the stadium, we watched the sunset over the foothills of the Smoky Mountains before witnessing one of college football’s most iconic traditions: the team touching “The Rock” and running down the hill onto the field.

We stayed early enough to explore the stadium before kickoff, enjoyed the Clemson marching band and halftime show, and even caught a glimpse of Tiger Walk on the way out, leading toward Clemson’s modern athletic facilities.

Clemson is a campus that truly needs to be experienced in person—especially for students interested in big schools, strong academics, vibrant campus life, and top-tier Division I athletics alongside club and intramural opportunities.

Each of these universities offers something distinct, yet all three deliver the scale, spirit, and opportunity that define a large college experience. From the polished organization at UGA, to USC’s walkable urban campus, to Clemson’s unmatched school pride and traditions, this trip helped our daughter—and us—better understand what feels right as the college search continues.

For families beginning their own college visit journey, seeing multiple campuses back-to-back can be incredibly clarifying. The details matter—and experiencing them firsthand makes all the difference.